PRINCIPA THE PLEASURE OF COMMON SENSE

Walker’s debut posits that the key to personal enlightenment and happiness lies at the crosshairs of psychology, science and rational thought.

As a philosopher, Walker doesn’t resemble a wayward new-age religious leader, a trained psychiatrist or a noted scientist. Yet his understanding of such topics forms a workable theory of enlightenment, one that is best utilized one strand at a time. The author begins by asserting the importance of rational thought in harnessing control over one’s life and in achieving global understanding. Walker urges the reader to be open-minded as he advises against proceeding further if you aren’t open to a variety of possibilities. Having laid his logical foundation, Walker next takes up the metaphysics of existence, relying equally on philosophical tenets and quantum mechanics as a guide. A road map of the human experience starts as a simple collection of spheres marked for physical, emotional and mental states of being. As the chapters pass, the map morphs into a well-illustrated diagram of a challenging, typical life. Walker deconstructs the thinking of such luminaries as Einstein, Plato, Freud and Darwin, among others, in an attempt to illustrate a “unified theory” of how all the divergent parts of existence come together. He also makes allowances for morality and religion, and uses technology as a great comparative device to discuss emotional and physiological responses. The book is written in matter-of-fact and easily accessible prose, considering its heady nature. Although the author repeatedly insists that this work is not a self-help guide, readers will be unable to deny Walker’s good-natured attempts to encourage the implementation of his useful system of beliefs. An inspiring read for those looking for enlightenment beyond the standard questions and answers.